middleofsomewhere | Fissures of Time: Start

Fissures of Time: Start

"Good Morning Voidtreckers, today is day eight of the month of Poi."
The voice echoes through the train as passengers wake up in their beds. Not long afterwards their SCA’s glow with the colour of the void and a holographic image appears...

FISSURES OF TIME: START

... BASE CAMP

THE VOIDTRECKER EXPRESS LANDS CLOSE TO A GIANT OF A FORTRESS SAT ATOP A HILL, A RIVER BORDERING THE WAY TO A NEARBY TOWN. 'Please head to the location marked on your map,' the Voidtrecker Express speaks through the intercoms before opening the doors out.

Passing the threashold, Voidtreckers are welcomed to a mild heat, accompanied by a passing spring breeze; the grass underfoot is a healthy wheat-yellow, with a few unfamiliar flowers dotted about. Checking their maps, they'll see they're at the very far southwest, and their their destination is the fortress - or temple - a small walk from way they are. They'll know they're heading the right direction when two figures dressed in their own military gear meet them halfway, neither human.

'Voidtreckers?' One greets with a nod, then jerks their head to the fortress. 'Follow us. We'll tell you and give you what you need; get you ready for the week you're in for.'

Voidtreckers that follow are led into spacious halls, a Grecian-like architecture with columns carved into flowering patterns, statues of idols lining the walls. There's a faint murmur of activity, but they don't see too many people before they're led into a nearby room filled with containers that close in the space. Even as they enter, a holographic map floats visibly mid-air like the one on their SCAs.

The two people go to either side of it, and it's the one from earlier that speaks again.

'This is Kolokifi's domain- most of it, anyway. Down here where we are is Eilifi's land. Another god, but a history lesson isn't what you need unless you ask for it. All up this way-' the person makes a circular motion in front of the map, leaving a visible mark on it. '--is where time distortions will be happening. The easy explan' of them is that points in the past get pulled into the present - echoes of them. Fragments, moments - Time here got well and screwed up, and tries to bring up points in the past to the present.

'Now, some have a problem with getting rid of the slips of the people that come through, so I'm going to get into that now. Thing is, if they can stick around? They will, but most of them can't. All of this is just Time trying to make a copy of the past appear, so thinking you can leave the distortions alone make everyone whole? Isn't going to work as well as you think. It just makes more problems, and that isn't pretty.' They snort. 'They're gonna fight and sound like people 'cause they are - real unfortunate, unlucky sods. If you're gonna have problems with it, don't deal with them. Leave 'em to whoever with you can, or send a signal for us on the maps. Double tap the area and then get out. There's no point gettin' trauma on top of what's already on your plate.'

Finally they nod to the various containers around.

'But don't worry, it isn't all sad shit. You've got fields to deal with too, open spaces. Boring work, but it's what we're here for. So if you're going, let's get you ready. And you come back here when you need anything.'

GEARING UP. They go through the different roles required, what's best to be done, what does what. They'll be shown how to work an equaliser, how to fit and wear the eye and earpieces - with other designs available if needed - to use the remote-controlled scouting drones.

Take the time to open up an equaliser box yourself, try to work a scouting drone. There are also medical kits, with boxes containing herbal medicine 'blessed by the Spring god here - make sure you can take it,' the Ministry worker helping them warns. There's devices in all of the kits, small scanners to double-check that a medicine won't react poorly to whatever it scans. Similar technology to what the SCAs use, but more advanced.

There's no rush to leave, and the group will also be shown where some spare carts and animals for pulling are outside, for packing up supplies on.

STAYING BACK. But people don't need to go. They can stay with the Voidtrecker Express, use a few facilities in the Ministry base, or wander the immediate area, so long as they don't go beyond the river that down the hill the fortress sits on. There's the train itself that people can stick to, take pillows and their blankets outside to enjoy the fresh air.

Or you could be coming back this way during the mission. The Ministry base has a kitchen free to use, water, and every day fresh fruit and vegetables come in carts from the same figure, flour and oats. If someone wants, they can take some of the food, or use it to make supplies for the Voidtreckers to receive if they come back this way, or other missionaries.

How they spend their time is up to them.

... KOLOKIFI'S DOMAIN

FOR A WEEK, VOIDTRECKERS WILL BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE SAME TORN, SCARRED LAND. Despite the skies being a clearer silver-grey nearer to the Ministry base, it keeps close to a blood-red as Voidtreckers wander its terrain. Heat clings to them in the dry air, the dirt as parched as the scenery leaves the eyes.

Those with scouting droners would do well to getting used to their new toys while they travel, watching out for what lies ahead. Though just from looking at it, there's nothing but the same drained landscape. Those who can fly may be tempted to do so, to get ahead. Those with superspeed, what's the point of hanging around? But eventually, everyone will learn what happens if you simply wander around here...

WHAT ONCE WAS. Sometimes, the time distortions are innocuous - a glimpse into peaceful times, a view of the world as it once was. A step, one single move forward into a time distortion, and the world around you changes. Gone is the suffering heat and chalky environment, and the world blossoms. Wild yellow-grass sways every-which way, the sky sits with fluffy clouds against and blushed pink than the blood-red.

You can move around, explore for a little while, but up until a point, the world just stops: you run, you fly, you walk, but it makes no difference.

...It also means you can't leave. Well, good thing your SCA still works to ask for help.

These time distortions will be the simplest to deal with, only occupied by a few wild animals, maybe fish in a stream. A good place to practice with the equaliser, and to watch as the scenery fades to the stark reality of the present day.

UNEARTHED WAR. But then, peace isn't what led this land into the state it is. The skies are a lavender and red, and sometimes:

Mother Nature

'Who goes there!'

'You're no warrior of Kolokifi! Come quietly under her mercy, or suffer her judgment!'

( MOD NOTE: Play these scenarios to whatever degree you like; people can be knocked unconscious or situations can't be helped. Choose what is best for yourself or your character. )

IDYLLIC LIFE. Except, it's not a battlefield that is the hardest to deal with. There are the instances of peace, but when it comes with those more aware than just the flowers or animals - but with people.

Sometimes, they might be moved around: a pair on a picnic, or people with tents by a lake, enjoying themselves. Or, you might get asked what you're up to, asked to join them. Perhaps it's a merchant going to the next town. 'Kolokifi may be a blessed God, but you know Silifi's fields bring their best this time of year.'

They may disappear, without knowing what you were doing - or realise something is wrong, just towards the end. Steel your heart.

The hardest are the towns, sections of them, and moving around them, trying to find the best place to set up.

But if an equaliser goes off too early, doesn't get set in the best place (was it because the best place was in a river? Where a house is, with nowhere to set the equaliser?), then fractions of this settlement will start to disappear - and the civillians will notice, and the panic will be quick.

If it becomes too tough, remember: A marker can be set on the maps and a call made for another group - non-Voidtreckers - to do the job.

HEAVY HEARTS IN REST. There will be enough for four separate camps to be set out from the supplies, the tents wide and spacious to put in simple bedding for the stragglers from the time distortions that do make it out.

It's here where they should be brought. Calm them down, reassure them, until you can find someone to take them to the Ministry base. This will be some work, depending on how panicked they are, distrustful. The less care and stealth used when setting Equalisers and getting rid of time distortions, the less reason these people will have to care about what the Voidtreckers have to offer - and they're already scared.

Kids, adults, the elderly - they'll try to make their escape, and sometimes end up in new distortions.

Voidtreckers will need to coordinate well with the different camps, with where their people are going. There's only so many Equalisers, and it is good to keep moving around.

And very likely, this will be a mission heavier on the heart than the body. Speak with one another, share in the weight of this world's tragedy.

OOC NOTES

OOC post. Ask questions here. Let us know about shenanigans here. NPC requests here, set up a thread here. Rewards go here.

Reminder of goals: Red Team is to deal with the heavier war-time distortions, keeping Orange people setting Equalisers safe, who will also use scouting drones + other methods to locate distortions. Purple Team aids in the smaller, more scattered distortions (includes 'idyllic' distortions), and helping Blue locate misplaced people, keeping them safe. Blue also protects and moves the camps.

NPC fighters: Their skills vary, depending on what you want to come up against. But they have guns, swords, shielding; nature can be particularly vengeful, and even typhoons might be deployed. People will be rewound from where they're going to where they were; and warriors sometimes have their own quick means of healing.

Play with whatever obstacles you want! As ever you don't have to stick to the prompts we write, this is a setting where a lot of wildness can happen so feel free to write your own distortions to take down! Also, again: For anything traumatic, you can have your characters miss anything too distressing for them. There are a lot of time distortions in very ordinary settings.

Further Prompt Ideas: Click!

Blue Team:

You're dealing with a misplaced person, and how agreeable are they? Did they run off on foot? Or use the cart animal in the night? Now you're looking for them - and either with or without them, you've ended up in a time distortion.
The camp's moving, and you're setting up for the first time, packing away for the second. Are you used to the heat? The repetition?
You've got food from the train to work with for meals, but the Ministry has packed everyone a mix too. Some ration foods that you add water to, but also an orso-like pasta and types of chicken breast (at least, it tastes like chicken), cooking sauces, pita breads. Does your character know how to cook?
You just want a change of scenery, and someone in the camp is going to one of the time distortions. Maybe you go along, just to bring out some food, or just out of curiosisty.
There's nothing stopping you from using a scouting drone - actually, being in one place makes it easy. You can speak to people through the drone. How much can you help from afar?

Orange Team:

It's your job to set up Equalisers. How confusing are they to you? Do you get unlucky? Does it jam at a bad time?
You have to set up an Equaliser in a settlement. And if it wasn't bad enough, there's nowhere good to put them except in someone's backyard/right in front of a shop stall. These people aren't pleased. They're going to get suspicious!
This distortion is too big for the amount of Equalisers you and the other person have with you. Do you realise this? Even when it's a peaceful distortion, this can be tricky - you have to pack one up and move it! Or the worst happens when you set them off, and only erase half the place - and people notice.

Red Team:

Fire burns around you as war rages. The equalisers need to be set but to get them in place the fires need put out. Tricky when there are a whole bunch of soldiers currently lighting them.
Red's job is to deal with the obstacles of the more physical-demanding distortions, but that doesn't mean they're easy to find. You end up in scenic landscapes - and you're not the person with an equaliser.
Sometimes - or most of the time - the fighters are not match for your strength. But sometimes, these warriors have skills that can manage to get you defenceless, maybe even nullify your powers.
Do you care about murder? Sometimes, it's simple self-defence - they're attacking first. But not everyone in a war time distortion is an attacker - sometimes they're normal civillians caught up in the chaos. Maybe they even help you, take your side - and you know they're soon going to disappear.
Even Red Team needs a break now and then. Wandering around at random just drops you into distortions that you can find a way to deal with. Or are you seeing what you can do? Maybe there's more that can be done than just waiting on Orange Team.
But even so, there are camps moving around - you should head back to one. Or will you risk sleeping out where a distortion might hit?

Purple Team:

Whilst helping in a town based distortion so thing goes wrong. The market has vanished and people have noticed. Specifically these angry traders, heading towards your team with the intent to stop them in their tracks.
People aren't the only problem. A distortion has spooked a heard of animals and they are stampeding. This makes it very difficult to place Equalisers.
You stumble upon a couple of chatty locals in this distortion. The equalisers still need to be set without causing suspicion so someone needs to be a distraction. How do you make small talk with people you are about to erase from time?
Often it is the terrain that makes things difficult. Clear trees or rockfalls or find a route across a difficult river.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Wangji looks up at the familiar voice, already smiling a little at the audible curiosity.
"Mn." He nods, finishing the one he has started with a few brisk brush strokes. He sets it to one side until it dries and gestures for Tidus to sit next to him if he so desires.

"I do not have my sword or guqin, this is a last resort for me but a very effective crowd control measure." He selects a dry one from one of the three stacks.
"This is a barrier, to try and prevent anyone attempting to leave their distortion. Simply channel the energy and..."

A small pulse of spiritual power and the talisman sticks to the floor and a bubble of energy surrounds them.
"It can also be put on doors or windows and prevent entry." He stops providing power and it shrivels into ash.

"You are welcome to them, if you wish."

Tidus will sit, happily; knowing a mission, he'll be on his feet a lot later, and there's no impatient itch to make him fidget. He listens and watches, and the way that Wangji works - it reminds him of Wuxian's way. They can do this so easily, naturally, while Tidus thinks he'd be too distracted at a time like this.

He's impressed, and he does hold out a hand, saying, "Sure - can I look at it?" - both happy to take some, but he does want to look at it too, admitting: "Wuxian's been teaching me, but we're still on the brushwork. He says I'm getting better, but I can't tell the difference."

He's at that point where it all looks the same - 'decent', but like he's missing some important control in his wrist to actually make it come out in a way that would satisfy Wuxian. Just like magic learning, but its own kind of headache.

Tidus reminds him of Jingyi as a student, all eager and interested. He angles the work so Tidus can see without straining his neck, deliberately slowing the brush strokes for the characters.

"Of course," He slid another dry talisman across. He pauses for a split second at the name drop and then exhales a laugh.
"Wei Ying is the better of us to teach these. He is very skilled and can invent new talismans on a whim. I merely practice."

As 'barrier' will be most effective, he puts a sheet of paper and gestures to a clean brush.
"Can you demonstrate for me? I can walk you through the brushstrokes if you are unsure."

So, Wangji respects Wuxian - Wei Ying? - as the talisman maker. Tidus notes that, doubting the information to be really useful as just interesting: a glimpse into the relationship between Wuxian and Wangji. ...some variations of them.

But, oh- Tidus sees the offer, and there's a moment where he hesitates, but he reaches for the brush. "Okay," he accepts - not entirely with confidence, but willing. This is similar to the characters he's been learning, so...

Tidus starts, and there's already some of that hesitance in his first stroke. Off to a bad start. He wants to stop there, but he knows he has to shake off the nerves of being judged and continue.

So he does, tries to not let his nerves enter his brush strokes. He doesn't entirely succeed, but he's got the idea of what he's doing, and even stops to ask once '--this way next?' to double-check he hasn't muddled his order.

There. A young learner attempt who's only practised, and only done so in the comfort of the train than before a mission.

"No need to worry if you fail, failure is it's own teacher." He encourages as best he can, no judgment here. The fact Tidus is willing to try is enough.
He sees the hesitance, the nerves betraying the brushstrokes and notes them for future reference. Otherwise, he can see that Tidus has the absolute basics down; he's using a brush for a start, rather than asking for a pen.

When Tidus asks, Wangji gestures with a finger along the dry talisman's lines to show where to go next. When he is finished, Wangji gives a very gentle smile.

"Well done." He pulls the talisman over so he can view it and critique. "Some of your initial brushstrokes wobble, you need to commit to the line -even if it turns out wrong- so you feel the flow better."

He takes a fresh paper and puts one in front of Tidus, then one for himself.
"Follow my lines." He murmurs, focusing on the page and letting Tidus follow each individual stroke.

"Once you have the shape, you can create your own form and still maintain the intent."

It doesn't feel like the best time for this, but if there's a chance he can help right now, or even in the future- Tidus won't argue, accepting the paper and with his head angled to watch Wangji. A lift of his brows, curious in what he says.

"--So when I get it right, I can write it more like I would?"

There's some intrigue in the question, but Tidus is already wondering how well that would work. These characters; they're not stiff, not the way Wangji and Wuxian brush them, but they're nothing to the waves of his own language. Could the two work together? What would these characters look like in a Spiran hand?

...probably shouldn't get carried away.

Teaching soothes Wangji, letting him relax from his previous state of hyper-focus and release the tension that comes before every mission. He's glad that Tidus is humoring him in this.
"Mn. Good brush work will makes sure the talisman will do as you intend it to, but you can learn the 'shortcuts' you can personally take in writing it."

He makes one as an example, his pristine brush work making every motion smooth and crisp. Then he makes another, as if pressed for time and ink, it's a little light in places and the gestures carry through but it still has the same key points. (it's also far neater than any other cultivator would be)
"Wei Ying has terrible handwriting but most of his talismans still function. If it is completely unrecognizable-" He draws another as if he is a small child, "-then the energy cannot flow."

He smiles a little.
"I am making these as a supply for myself as I lack my sword. Hopefully I will be able to rectify that by next mission."

Huh. Tidus decides to try for another himself as Wangji goes through the processes again. A little more confident than he was before at the start, and it feels like he should give it ago with how often Wangji is repeating the process - to make the talismans, but also an example for him.

But what would Wei Ying - Wei Wuxian - say about his terrible handwriting being called out? Maybe he'll bring it up sometime, see what reaction he gets out of the guy. (Ugh, he'll probably turn it around and tease him, somehow.)

Just near the end of his last brushstroke however, his hand dips, a small "oh!" as the reminder about the blade clicks - and Tidus remembers recalls-

"Crap-- uh, oh, right! I have a spare sword. A long one - it changes weight when you hold it. I can show you?"

He watches Tidus try again and can see the difference already. Confidence is always a stumbling block early on, but if you can treat it then any student will perform. Wangji smiles at the second attempt.
"Much improved." He hangs the brush up and makes the dry talismans into a small stack to go in his hoodie pocket.

"What will you be focusing on for this mission? Will you have one of the devices to stop distortions?" Wangji doesn't truly use technology on a good day and these look sensitive so he's keeping his distance.

At the mention of a sword, a gleam enters his eyes.
"A spare sword? It would be most kind of you to show it to me." He misses his sword but he can appreciate good work. He does cock his head a little though, "It changes weight when you hold it?"
How interesting.

"I'll carry one," he answers about the devices, "--or a few, those equalising things look heavy. But I'll be playing defence. So these'll be good."

He waves up one of the talismans. Between these and being able to watch the backs of whoever sets the machines, that should work. Whatever makes the job easier. But he moves aside the paper and brush and what he's leaning them on, onto the spare seat beside him.

"Yeah, lemme show you - Q'uila made it. It's so anyone who holds it can use it."

He holds out his right hand, clasped ready for the sword that appears in it. Two-handed blade for some, but for ~~all the animes~~ some people like Tidus, he holds it easy in one, and then passes it over to Wangji.

"You'll see," he says, and when they exchange hands, the blade will shift some, the weight and length of it adjusting to suit better Wangji's own weight and height.

Wangji nods, "I will be guarding the camps and attempting to find any missing persons, so I thought it best to leave them to people who do not require both hands." He pauses, "Or have the ability to break technology unintentionally."

He does smile a little when Tidus mentions the Talismans. "You are more than welcome to them, I like to be prepared and that means I create more than enough."

The sword reveal has him visibly (well, as much as Wangji ever does) perk up in interest. "Q'uila?" He asks, unfamiliar with the name, eyes focused to see if he can spot the magic or technology that makes it adapt. He takes the sword and stands up, moving so he has more space while he feels it adapt to him.

He isn't anime, but the wuxia worlds also runs on rule of cool, so he too lifts it with one hand.

Once it's finished shifting, he takes a stance and begins running through some Gusu sword forms, flowing like water from one to the next to test the feel and weight. As he moves he can feel how it suits and the forms get faster until the sword is a blur, then with a final spinning flourish he finishes.

"It is a good blade." He comes back to Tidus, "The adaptability has no effect on it's durability?"

(Welcome to the world of cool, wuxia.)

Tidus gives the man room to test the sword, brows raising as he watches, impressed. He's not that much of a sword-knower, really, trained on the road than with any proper respect for fighting, but it's easy to tell when someone knows how to use one.

Especially when, you know, someone goes blurry with speed with one. Neat. Tidus can in particular appreciate going fast.

"You can find out for me," Tidus replies, to the query about durability. He gives his head a shake. "I haven't used it 'cept in the training gym. My sword's bulkier - even with its shifting, it's different from the ones I use, you know? But it should be good. Q'uila's a blacksmith!"

And he's happy to give the miqo'te lady some good faith.

Doing the practice forms has left Wangji feel more settled than he has been in weeks.
"Thank you." He murmurs, delighted.

He does some idle motions with his wrist, the sword making lazy (only in comparison to the speed of the earlier routine) loops and figure eights.
"It is nice to have a blade again. I will try to test it thoroughly for you."

At the reminder that Tidus is also a sword user, Wangji cocks his head a little.
"What kind of sword do you prefer to use? A single edged weapon?" He notices what he was doing idly with the sword and resolutely puts it away. If he had a thinner face he would flush.

"We will have to spar after this mission, if that suits you. I will be out of practice." Without a sword, sword forms are sort of pointless. Before that, he was lecturing. He needs to hit things.

It's good to see; Tidus isn't sure if he's imagining it, but something seems more lively about the guy than when he'd been sitting there, working on the talismans. Then again, sitting and scribbling and standing and waving a sword's pretty different.

Regardless, he's smiling as Wangji speaks, a tilt of his head that brings back out his hand again.

"Oh, uh, I like them kinda weighty, but light?"

To show, he makes sure his hand is positioned to point the blade from either of them, then makes his personal one appear. It has a see-through blue, bubbling, like water trapped in a moment, the shape of a blade - and a hook end.

"Single-sided, but I like them with some character!" He tilts the sword so it can be seen from another angle, then grins at Wangji. "And I'll take you up on testing skills. But I won't go easy on you!"

A tease, but truthfully, he doesn't think he'd need to! Tidus might have to be serious with this guy if he's got speed too.

Wangji would probably never admit it, but he's just as much of an active person as Tidus is. Just a lifetime of practice makes him a little more restrained. Now he holds a blade and he feels a little more like himself, even if it is not his own specific sword.

Wangji listens to Tidus try and explain his preference, not budging beyond a widening of the eyes when Tidus summons his own sword.

"Indeed." Wangji agrees, "That has some character." An understatement perhaps. He looks at Tidus for permission, then gently lifts Tidus's hand holding the blade close so he can get a better look.
"Does the hook serve a purpose in your fighting style? What material is it made from?"
Congratulations Tidus you unlocked the sword jock in him.

He looks back up at the acceptance of his challenge, a half smile visible.
"Would you like to restrict it to sword skills only for now, no magic. Then perhaps when I have adjusted we can attempt a proper spar?"

He might be able to get his own sword back by then, otherwise he's not going to be able to do half of what he normally could.

Oh boy, he's unlocked a sword jock when he barely knows anything about swords himself. But Tidus only chuckles lightly, and he's turned the blade at Wangji's gesture - will even offer it for the guy to hold himself, if he wants to test it. It's okay, he can hold onto the other blade in the meantime.

Despite its width, it's lighter than what a metallic blade would be, though still with some weight.

"To be honest, I didn't have a choice about what blade I got - I was given to it by a friend. I'd only started learning how to use a sword, and this is what I got. I used the hook sometimes; it was good for keeping a hold of things, but it wasn't handy all the time."

Considering some of the fiends out there.

But as for sparring: "Sure, works for me. A warm-up 'til we go all out!"

Which, didn't that sound fun. At least it was something to look forward to, once they got back on the train and the mission was over.

Wangji takes the blade with a soft 'Thank you', turning it this way and that to examine the foreign material. He admires the unique style of the piece, even if it isn't anything like his preferred weapon, he can tell it was crafted by someone who knew what they were doing.
"You were given this? Was your friend skilled in this particular style of blade?" He asks as he gently traces the 'hook' along one edge.
"If you were unfamiliar the hook would be a difficult thing to master, you must have more than a little skill to manage it."

He hands it back with a small smile.
"Thankyou for showing me."

His eyes light up a little at Tidus's enthusiasm, he does demure a little;
"I may be very rusty in an actual combat scenario so this will be good for me."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Fissures of Time: Start

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